3 Tools That Help Me Deal With School As An Absent-Minded Procrastinator | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

3 Tools That Help Me Deal With School As An Absent-Minded Procrastinator

Bye bye, mind clutter. Hello, good grades.

111
3 Tools That Help Me Deal With School As An Absent-Minded Procrastinator
dbhurley.com

For me, procrastination is not just a bad habit, it's a bad lifestyle.

It's a dark pit I fell into during my early childhood and never really crawled out of because I could just do it tomorrow, right?

When I was high school, procrastination made me turn in an innumerable amount of last-minute essays and project. I still got good grades on them though, so that must have meant that all that frenzied work was actually great for school.

Then I hit college, where I suddenly lost the ability to pull all-nighters and get up early to finish my homework. I actually had to be responsible and manage my time well like a functioning adult if I ever wanted to move forward in life.

While it has been--and continues to be--a slow but steady journey, I've found three tools that help me stay on top of my busy schedule and actually get work done.


1. My Study Life


The ultimate planner designed specifically for students and teachers alike, I discovered MyStudyLife halfway through freshman year and haven't looked back since then. While it does take some time at first to input all the necessary details like your schedule and homework assignments, it pays off to do it all during syllabus week.

My Study Life reminds you when your classes start, which tasks are due within the next three days, and is a cross-platform app for both your computer and your phone.

This has been an academic lifesaver for me since I used to either rely on my memory or scattered reminders written in different notebooks or on my hand to remember my homework. My Study Life neatly puts everything into one place and motivates me to get tasks done ahead of time.

2. My iPhone's default calendar

While the calendar app is pretty standard and somewhat simplistic, it's an effective way for me to keep track of events that are outside my school schedule, whether it's weekly meetings, dental appointments or someone's birthday.

I always make sure to input events right when I hear of them and set two alerts: one for the day before and one for the hour before.

The simpler, the better. And it hasn't failed me yet.

3. My bullet journal

For those who don't know, the bullet journal is an organizational system based on bullet points. While it's made up of core concepts like an index, logs, and simple symbols, it's basically meant to combine a diary, planner, and a to-do list into one journal and is highly customizable.

I started my own bullet journal over the summer to see if I would be able to use it when school began, and I ended up loving it.

It's a process that requires trial and error because my bullet journal is meant to work for me and me alone. While other people might like putting an insane amount of detail into their bullet journals (just look them up on Pinterest or Instagram), mine actually looks a lot like the picture above, except with slightly more cursive and alternating colors for each month.


I've personally found that it's best if I take things one day at a time. While My Study Life and my calendar makes sure that I don't forget what's in the future, my bullet journal keeps me grounded in my day-to-day tasks. The combination of all three tools means that my mind is less stressed out without the burden of having to remember everything that I need to do and defaulting to wanting to put them off.

These are just suggestions, so what works for me might not work for you.

Do you use anything different that helps you stay organized and ready for school?


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198318
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19715
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461525
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28671
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments